NWG CE Annual Conference – 5th March 2026

The running order and timings, this is possibly subject to change.

10.00-10.15; Welcome and opening remarks – NWG CEO, Matt Thompson

 10.15 – 10.40; Manchester Metropolitan University: Understanding complexities in child exploitation response
Michelle McManus – Professor in Safeguarding and Violence Prevention and Co-Director of the Institute for Children’s Futures (ICF)

 10.40-11.00; CSA Centre: Summary of publications
Emilie Smeaton – Associate Principal Research and Evaluation Officer, Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse

 11.00 – 11.30; Phil Ashford – National Child Sexual Exploitation Development Coordinator; Hydrant Programme/Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce & Hydrant Programme – Group-Based Offending and Disruption; Tracey Watkinson – Partnerships Manager

 11.30 – 12.00; Interactive Panel Q&A session

 12.00-12.40; Lunch

 12.40 – 12.55; Address from NWG’s new patron – Sheila Taylor MBE

 12.55 – 1.15; Threat Leadership, National Crime Agency – Rob Richardson – Deputy Threat Lead CSA

1.15- 1.40; Missing People: The links between missing and CSE, and good practice in preventing repeat episodes. Josie Allan – Head of Policy and Partnership Missing People

 1.40-2.00; NHS: A trauma informed response to CE
Dr Romana Farooq & Sian Morrison – NHS Childhood Trauma, Adversity & Exploitation: Implications for Evidence & Practice

 2.00-2.20; KEY NOTE SPEAKER – Temporary Chief Constable Becky Riggs: NPCC Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation 

2.20-2.50; Interactive Panel Q&A session

 2.50-3; Thanks, Next Steps & Closing Remarks; NWG CEO – Matt Thompson

Here is the link; NWG CE Annual Conference 2026 Tickets, Thu, Mar 5, 2026 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite